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$3M in grants to go to fight violence against women in Bakken

WASHINGTON — Approximately $3 million in grants will go to the Bakken region to fight violence against women, according to a news release.

U.S. delegation from North Dakota announced Tuesday the U.S. Justice Department would allocate the funds to help rural and tribal officials prosecute crimes of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking in North Dakota and Montana.

“The rapid growth of western North Dakota’s economy and population has also brought challenges, including crimes against women,” Sen. John Hoeven said in a release. “These grants are one of the law enforcement resources we’re working to provide for the Bakken, as well as a larger drug enforcement and FBI presence in the region.”

The Bakken initiative was launched in April and is the first large-scale project targeting resources to support expansion of service to victims. The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Poplar, Mont., the First Nations Women’s Alliance in Devils Lake, the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence in Helena, Mont., the North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services in Bismarck, and the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation in New Town will receive the funds.

“By bringing top Administration officials to North Dakota to hear firsthand about the emerging challenges, great strides have been made to make sure local law enforcement and organizations receive needed support to address these challenges and help our state maintain our treasured quality of life,” Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said in a release.

In addition, the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and Three Affiliated Tribes will receive a three-year $450,000 grant to support a tribal prosecutor.